Method for fingernail decoration

ABSTRACT

Provided is a fingernail decorating method including creating an artificial nail using a thin fabric sheet; applying a predesigned colored silk or fiber glass fabric on the artificial nail; and applying a nail polish gel on top and beneath the nail, wherein the thin fabric sheet become at least partially transparent upon contact with a liquid substance and one surface of the predesigned colored silk or fiber glass fabric contains an adhesive substance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many ways to decorate a fingernail. One of the commonly used methods is to decorate a fingernail using colored nail polish. This conventional method usually uses a brush or foam applicator to spread the polish on a fingernail. However, spreading nail polish evenly on a fingernail requires skill, and repeating a smooth and uniformly shaped coating on all ten fingernails is not easily accomplishable. If one wants to apply nail polish in a particular pattern rather than covering the entire nail, reproducing such pattern on all ten fingernails is even more difficult.

For example, a popular nail decorating style is a French style nail decoration, which requires creating a thin white line on the tip of a fingernail. Creating thin white lines uniformly and evenly on all ten fingernails using a conventional brush or foam applicator is difficult even for a professional manicurist. Sometimes, a tip guide strip is used to produce the white line. The tip guide strip is a tape with a pre-cut strip shape opening, which can be attached to a fingernail, and then the user can draw a white line through the opening using the conventional applicators. However, even with the tip guide strip, obtaining an evenly spread nail polish coating with uniform thickness is not easy since controlling the amount of nail polish applied by the conventional applicators is difficult.

Another conventional method is to attach a patterned sticker on the nail directly. However, conventionally used decorative stickers are usually thick and do not produce a natural look when they are attached to the nails. Furthermore, directly attached stickers are easily peeled off or can be damaged during every day activities.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present invention provides a fingernail decorating method including creating an artificial nail using a thin fabric sheet; applying a predesigned colored silk or fiber glass fabric on the artificial nail; and applying a nail polish gel on the top of and beneath the nail, wherein the thin fabric sheet become at least partially transparent upon contact with a liquid substance and one surface of the predesigned colored silk or fiber glass fabric contains an adhesive substance.

In other aspect, the present invention provides a fingernail decorating method including providing on a finger nail a thin fabric sheet, which is not less than the size of the fingernail, applying an adhesive liquid substance over the thin fabric sheet, applying solidifying powder, applying additional adhesive liquid substance over the powder and thin fabric sheet; applying a predesigned colored silk or fiber glass fabric on the artificial nail; and applying a nail polish gel on the top of and beneath the nail, wherein the thin fabric sheet become at least partially transparent upon contact with a liquid substance and one surface of the predesigned colored silk or fiber glass fabric contains an adhesive substance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1(a) shows a fingernail and a thin fabric sheet for an artificial nail; and FIG. 1(b) shows the artificial nail formed on the fingernail.

FIG. 2(a) shows a thin pre-designed tip; and FIG. 2(b) shows the thin strip is applied on the artificial nail.

FIG. 3 shows different examples of decorations made according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for decorating a fingernail, which includes steps of creating an artificial nail 3 on the finger nail 1 using a thin fabric sheet 2, applying a predesigned color silk or fiber glass fabric 4 on the artificial nail 3, and applying nail polish gel.

An artificial nail 3 can be created using a thin fabric sheet 2 which becomes at least partially transparent upon contact with a liquid substance. Also, the thin fabric sheet may be made of silk or glass fiber containing an adhesive material on one side thereof. A manicurist may cut the thin fabric sheet according to the fingernail shape and size and attach it to the nail with glue or without glue if the sheet is self-adhesive. Any glue that can hold the sheet on the nail may be used. Preferably, polymeric or instant glue may be used. The glue may be applied directly on the nail, and then the sheet is attached. Or the glue may be applied over the sheet while the sheet is placed on the nail so that the glue penetrates the sheet and forms an adhesive layer between the sheet and the nail. In either case, the sheet may absorb the glue and become rigid. Even when the self-adhesive sheet is used to create the artificial nail, polymeric or instant glue may still be applied to strengthen the attachment of the sheet to the nail or to rigidify the sheet. However, nail polish without the polymeric glue may also provide rigidness to the sheet if one wants an easily removable artificial nail. Any extra glue may stay on the sheet and form another rigid outer layer. If one wishes a thicker nail, a filler powder may be spread on the sheet before or after the polymeric glue is applied. When the filler powder is applied after the application of the polymeric glue, another application of the polymeric glue over the powder may be needed. Fiber glass powder or polymethyl methacrylate powder may be used as the filler.

The surface of the nail created may need to be filed to get a smooth surface of the artificial nail formed by the sheet. When a manicurist determines that the surface of the artificial nail is smooth enough to create a neat and clean looking nail, nail polish may be applied before attaching the pre-designed colored fabric. The nail polish may be applied not only on the outside surface but also beneath the artificial nail in order to seal the border between the artificial nail and the fingernail. The nail polish may be dried using a spray, and the glue may be dried using a nail glue dryer, for example, HURRY UP distributed by FINGERMATES, INC., 707 10th Ave., Belmar, N.J. 07719.

After the artificial fingernail is created, the nail may be trimmed to a desired length and/or shape.

The pre-designed colored fabric may be any fabric that is thin enough to create a smooth transition from the edge of the fabric to the base artificial nail by applying a nail polish. Preferably, thin silk or fiberglass fabric may be used. The pre-designed color fabric may contain a pre-designed pattern, picture or decorative shape or may be a plain one color fabric. The pre-designed color fabric may be precut before it is attached to the nail, or it can be reshaped along with the base artificial nail.

When the French style of the nail decoration is created, the pre-designed colored fabric may be just a simple white fabric without any patterns or decorative shapes. FIG. 3 shows a few examples of nails decorated in the French style.

The pre-designed color fabric 4 should have an adhesive on one side for easier attachment thereof. The adhesive surface can be protected with a peelable cover 5 for protection of the adhesive. The peelable cover can be easily removed exposing the adhesive layer when the pre-designed color fabric is ready to be attached.

After attaching the pre-designed color fabric, nail polish may be applied over the entire artificial nail including the pre-designed color fabric. This will effectively hide the edge of the attached pre-designed application as an instrument such as a brush 6 can be used to apply the nail polish. The surface of the nail may then be smoothened and the shape of the nail can also be adjusted, if necessary.

An additional color coating may also be applied on the nail and a final coat of nail polish may be added on top.

The invention is further described by reference to the following examples which set for in detail the method for decorating a finger nail of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

In order to prepare for the decoration, one's fingernails are cleaned with an emery board, and a thin self-adhesive fabric sheet is cut according to the sizes of the nails. The pre-cut sheets are attached to each nail with pressure for even and clean attachment. After applying glue on the sheet, clear polymethyl methacrylate powder is evenly spread on the sheet and glue is again applied for firm settlement of the powder, repeating this process for all ten fingernails. When the glue is dried, the attached sheets are cut to desired sizes and lengths. The surface of the nail is slightly filed with the emery board and with a buffer to obtain even surface. In order to strengthen and smooth the nails, nail gel is applied not only on the top surface of the nails but also beneath the nails so that the border between the fingernail and the sheet is sealed by the nail gel. The nail gel is dried by a nail glue dryer spray. A white silk or fiberglass fabric having self adhesive glue on one side is cut to a thin strip, which is then attached to the top of the nail at the tip of the nail created above. For a firm attachment, nail gel is applied on the attached strip. The surface as well as the tip edge of the nail is then cleaned with an emery board. The surface is filed with a buffer to get an even and smooth surface, and the nails are cleaned. A base nail polish is applied and a color nail polish is applied as desired. Then, a top coat is applied.

EXAMPLE 2

The surfaces as well as the tips of one's nails are cleaned with an emery board and a buffer. A white silk or fiberglass fabric having self adhesive glue on one side is cut to a thin strip, which is then attached on the top of the nail at near the tip. For a firm attachment, nail gel is applied on the attached strip. The surface as well as the tip edge of the nail is then cleaned with an emery board. The surface is filed with a buffer to get even and smooth surface and the nails are cleaned. A base nail polish is applied and a color nail polish is applied as desired. Then, a top coat is applied.

EXAMPLE 3

In order to prepare for the decoration, one's fingernails are cleaned with an emery board, and a thin self-adhesive fabric sheet is cut according to the sizes of the nails. The pre-cut sheets are attached to each nail with pressure for even and clean attachment. After applying glue on the sheet, clear polymethyl methacrylate powder is evenly spread on the sheet and glue is again applied for firm settlement of the powder, repeating this process for all ten fingernails. When the glue is dried, the attached sheets are cut to desired sizes and lengths. The surface of the nail is slightly filed with an emery board and with a buffer to obtain even surface. In order to strengthen and smooth the nails, nail gel is applied not only on the top surface of the nails but also beneath the nails so that the border between the finger nail and the sheet is sealed by the nail gel. The nail gel is dried by a nail glue dryer spray. A silk or fiberglass fabric having self adhesive glue on one side and a decorative design on the other side is cut to a thin strip, which is then attached on the top of nail created above. For a firm attachment, nail gel is applied on the attached strip. The surface as well as the tip edge of the nail is then cleaned with an emery board. The surface is filed with a buffer to get an even and smooth surface and the nails are cleaned. A base nail polish is applied and a color nail polish is applied as desired. Then, a top coat is applied.

While only selected embodiments have been describe in order to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Thus, the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. 

1. A method for decorating a fingernail comprising (a) creating an artificial nail on the fingernail using a thin fabric sheet; (b) applying a predesigned colored silk or fiber glass fabric on the artificial nail; (c) applying nail polish gel on the top and beneath the nail; wherein the thin fabric sheet becomes at least partially transparent upon contact with a liquid substance and one surface of the predesigned colored silk or fiber glass fabric contains an adhesive substance.
 2. The method of decorating a fingernail according to claim 1, wherein the artificial nail is created by a method comprising (a) providing on the finger nail the thin fabric sheet, which is not less than the size of the fingernail; (b) applying an adhesive liquid substance over the thin fabric sheet; (c) applying solidifying powder, and (d) applying addition adhesive liquid substance over the powder.
 3. The method of decorating a fingernail according to claim 2, wherein the predesigned colored silk or fiber glass fabric is white.
 4. The method of decorating a fingernail according to claim 2, wherein the predesigned colored silk or fiber glass fabric is designed to create a French style fingernail.
 5. The method of decorating a fingernail according to claim 2, wherein the solidifying power is polymethyl methacrylate.
 6. The method of decorating a fingernail according to claim 2, wherein the thin fabric sheet is silk
 7. The method of decorating a fingernail according to claim 2, wherein the thin fabric sheet is fiber glass.
 8. A method for decorating a fingernail comprising (a) creating an artificial nail on the fingernail using a thin fabric sheet where said artificial nail is created by providing on the finger nail the thin fabric sheet, which is not less than the size of the fingernail; applying an adhesive liquid substance over the thin fabric sheet; applying solidifying powder, and applying addition adhesive liquid substance over the powder; (b) applying a predesigned colored silk or fiber glass fabric on the artificial nail; (c) applying nail polish gel on the top and beneath the nail; wherein the thin fabric sheet becomes at least partially transparent upon contact with a liquid substance, and one surface of the predesigned colored silk or fiber glass fabric contains an adhesive substance. 